PSA: Someone mentioned on a previous chapter that Earth shouldn't know about wild magic yet, which I agree with, so I've changed a small part of that chapter.
I've seen a lot of people discussing the 9th tier spell Nuclear Blast in the comments so I guess I'll give my take on it as well. When using the unbuffed version of the spell Ainz was able to 'destroy' an entire city district. I'm not exactly sure how much damage this was though since we don't know the size of the district and the full extent of the destruction caused. It's probably on the small end of what nukes can achieve though. Another thing is that although the spell is called 'nuclear blast', its effects are quite different to an actual nuke since it's a spell from a game. Lastly, as for how effective an actual nuke might be against Ainz and such, I'm going to say that if they were within the fireball radius it would do a large amount of damage. Please feel free to let me know if you agree or have a different opinion.
Chapter 16
Once again, Itami's squad found themselves trudging along an empty dirt road. The only other person they had seen was over an hour ago. They had been a trader bringing back goods in their caravan from the Dwarven Kingdom, which was apparently located somewhere in the mountains that loomed ahead of them. Itami's squad had received orders to conduct a reconnaissance mission there to see if it would be worth trading with the Dwarves.
In the general area around the gate, based on initial geological surveys there were apparently very little in the ways of ore deposits, particularly those valuable ones native only to the special region. Thus, it was high command's hope that these minerals might be more abundant in the mountains where the Dwarves lived. Since Itami's group still had more experience with dealing with the inhabitants of the special region, they had been selected for this mission.
"All this walking is reminding me of training…" Kurata said gloomily.
"Hey, look on the bright side, at least we get to experience the great outdoors. Look at all the beautiful scenery around here!" remarked Shadu, gesturing with outstretched arms at the grassy landscape around them.
It was around mid-afternoon and slightly overcast, but Kurata still had to admit that the special region at least looked quite nice. It was just like what he had expected the world of a fantasy novel to look like.
"Still, normally in animes and stuff they cut out all the boring parts like when the protagonists are travelling between towns. The scenery is nice, but we've been walking for several hours now so it gets a bit boring don't you think?" Kurata asked.
"Not at all" replied Shadu.
"…"
There was a brief pause before Kurata continued "It would've been nice if we'd driven the whole way there instead of being dropped off in the middle of nowhere. I don't get why the higher-ups are still so cautious about not letting them see our technology. Even though they let us take our pistols and radios this time, we're not even allowed to use them except in emergencies."
"You sure are complaining a lot today" remarked Itami.
"It's just that the higher-ups have been making a bunch of dumb decisions lately. If they let us drive the whole way and the dwarves saw our vehicles, they'd probably like us more anyways right?"
"Ah, I see what it is" grinned Itami.
"What?"
"You're just mad that they didn't let you drive again aren't you?"
"What? No way! That doesn't even matter to me" blurted out Kurata.
"Hoho, a tsundere?" said Akira.
"What is it with you and driving anyways? I've never even seen you mention it before outside of our missions" said Itami.
"One day you'll see" uttered Kurata, "One day."
"Stop trying to sound cool you otaku loser" said Kuribayashi. "Did you already forget what happened at the graveyard just a few days ago?"
Kurata bowed his head in shame.
Kuribayashi continued, "Itami as well! Why didn't you let us go out there and fight the damn zombies!"
"Hey, at least we helped some of the townspeople evacuate the area" reasoned Kurokawa.
"Don't tell me you're on their side now!" Kuribayashi exclaimed.
"Quiet you little girl!" shrieked Adriano.
"Whatever you old geezer" dismissed Kuribayashi.
"Hey guys, I think we're almost there" exclaimed Shadu. "I think I can see some sort of structure ahead!"
As the group drew closer they could see what looked like a large stone fortress built into the side of the mountains. Small figures could be seen in the distance manning the walls. Once they were around 30 metres away, a voice called down from up above on the walls.
"Greetings travellers! Who are you, and what brings you to Feo Jera?"
A dwarf clad in armour with a crossbow slung over his shoulder looked down at them. Numerous other dwarves also observed the group through the fortress' apertures.
Itami stepped forwards. "Hi there! We're the representatives of a new merchant organisation from the south! We came here in the hopes of trading with your nation and seeing what you have to offer!"
"Fair enough!" yelled the dwarf. "Open the gates!"
Once they were inside, Itami and his squad were led through a series of winding tunnels which eventually opened up into a large cave. It was quite dark, but they could still see the large dwarven city before them, illuminated like the night sky. The dwarves seemed to have some kind of glowing liquid which was contained in lanterns to light up the path, albeit at sporadic intervals. Due to this, there were many dark spots as they walked through the city. In addition to this, there were some glowing crystals dotted around the cave, but they seemed to more illustrate just how vast this subterranean area was rather than provide much actual lighting.
After some time they came to a large stone building. The dwarves escorting them pushed open the doors and led them inside.
Unlike the outside, the room the entered was much better lit, with multiple lanterns lining the walls. A number of waiting chairs were lined up along the walls on either side of them, with a couple of bored-looking dwarves sitting around in them. Directly ahead there was a front desk, manned by a dwarf who was dressed somewhat more eloquently than the rest. Their beard was even smaller and more well groomed than the guards they had been with so far.
"Jenda there will sort you out. Hey Jenda, these folks are here to do some trading stuff!" announced one of the dwarves escorting them.
"Ah, they must be new here then" the dwarf called Jenda said in a surprisingly high-pitched voice.
Turning to Itami's group, Jenda said "Don't worry dears, the next time you come here to do business you won't have to come all the way inside. We have facilities up on the surface in the fortress, but since it's your first time here I need to see you all personally to get your details down."
'The way this dwarf spoke' thought Itami. 'Were they a woman? No… they clearly have a beard don't they?'
"By the way, sorry if we come across as being a little pushy. It's just that things have been a little tough around here lately" the dwarf apologised.
'Ok.' thought Itami.
Kurokawa spoke up. "It's been no problem at all, everyone's been really helpful guiding us here. What seems to be the problem? Maybe we could help out?"
"Oh, dear" said the dwarf, putting a hand up to their head. "It's just that a few years ago we had to evacuate Feo Raizo, a city to the south, due to sightings of Quagoa. Everyone's worried that one day they might even make it to here. Anyways, it's not something you have to concern yourselves with, we're managing to get by now-days."
"Quagoa?" This piqued Itami's interest.
"They're these awful mole-like beastmen. They have sharp talons like knives on their limbs, and thick fur as touch as metal armour. Luckily they're weak against electricity though" explained Jenda.
"Electricity huh, that's a little problematic… Still, if we helped you repel these creatures, would we perhaps be able to obtain some favourable trade agreements?" inquired Itami.
"Are you a mercenary company then? Well, I'm sure everyone around here would be grateful if you were able to do something about them. However, you'll have to speak with the Commander-in-chief if you want more information regarding that matter."
Surprisingly enough, the Commander-in-chief was available to speak to immediately. He didn't seem to have a very busy schedule. After being ushered in by a secretary, they all sat around a table in a small meeting room.
"So, you think you can help us fight back against the Quagoa?" asked the Commander-in-chief, an eager expression on his bearded face.
"That is our hope. We came to you seeking further details on this issue" said Itami.
"Well, I suppose I can give you an overview of the situation. Within this mountain range, we initially held control of four cities. However, the Quagoa unified their tribes and formed an alliance with the frost dragons. We've lost our capital are down to just this one city, although it is well defended by the Great Rift, which makes it much harder for them to reach us. Though, I must warn you that an effort to retake and hold a city outside of Feo Jera will require a lot of resources and manpower, since they don't have the same level of defences. The Quagoa are estimated to number in the thousands, and a highly resistant to ordinary weapon strikes."
"Well luckily for you, we recently had a large budget increase" said Itami. "If you can give us some more specific information, including possible rewards for our assistance, we may be able to help you."
"Yes, that sounds good" replied the Commander-in-chief. "However, if I may ask. How exactly do you propose to go about dealing with the Quagoa, not to mention the dragons? Do you have a large stockpile of electrical weapons or the like?"
"Hmm, I'm not so sure about electrical weapons, but… are you familiar with gunpowder, or explosives?"
The Commander-in-chief scratched his beard. "We have certain items and materials that can create explosions, and there are spells like fireball, but I've never heard of this gunpowder you speak of."
"I see," smiled Itami. "Then perhaps a demonstration is in order. Do you have any spare sets of armour that you don't use anymore?"
"Hey, Itami!" whispered Kurata. "HQ explicitly said we weren't allowed to use guns except in emergencies!"
"Hey, get off his back" said Akira. "If we end up helping these guys they're going to end up finding out anyways."
Kurata seemed to have backed down, so the Commander-in-chief took the opportunity to say "Yes… We might have just a couple of spare sets."
A few minutes later they found themselves down in the shooting range. The Commander-in-chief had it cleared for Itami's weapon demonstration, and he had brought out not just one, but three sets of armour which he leant up against the wooden target dummies. These sets of armour didn't seem to be in the best shape though, with one having a large gash cut into the breastplate and some suspicious red stains. A few other dwarves had come along to witness the demonstration, and they stood beside the Commander-in-chief to observe alongside him.
"We're ready whenever you are Itami!" he called out.
Stepping up to the range, Itami put his hand into his coat before withdrawing a black metallic object. It was an H&K USP semi-automatic pistol, chambered in 9mm Parabellum. Switching off the safety and pulling back the slide, he chambered a round, aiming for the most undamaged breastplate. Come to think of it, he didn't have ear protection on.
"Everyone, this is going to be fairly loud so you can cover your ears if you want!"
All the dwarves immediately obliged, although a couple of the members of Itami's squad such as Akira and Adriano didn't bother.
"Firing now!" yelled out Itami before squeezing the trigger.
There was a small flash and a loud bang, which briefly reverberated around the cave.
After this, the dwarves tentatively uncovered their ears before looking at the target in confusion.
"What was that? What did it do?" asked the Commander-in-chief. There was a loud bang, but at a glance the breastplate looked just fine.
Unloading his weapon and turning the safety back on before returning it to within his coat, Itami went over and retrieved the piece of armour, laying it down on one of the tables.
"Oooh" came the response from the dwarves. Although it was small, there was a hole in the armour just a couple of centimetres wide that hadn't been there before.
However there was an even greater response when Itami turned the piece over, revealing there was a decent dint in the back-plate as well.
"Itami, I beg of you, please tell us how you did that!" gasped the Commander-in-chief, his eyes wide in astonishment. "To pierce steel armour like that!"
"Haha, well I guess it would be ok to tell you the basics" said Itami, scratching the back of his head. "Pretty much, there is a long metal tube which we put a projectile into. Then we set off an explosion, which shoots it out the end at high speed."
"Ahh, I see!" exclaimed the dwarves. "Such a simple concept, though I'm sure it's much more difficult in practice. But, just how many of these do you have? As impressive as that was, many of the Quagoa have fur tougher than that armour."
"Well… We could probably get a few hundred of them pretty easily. We've also got versions that shoot larger projectiles, or have a higher rate of fire."
Itami looked down, as the Commander-in-chief had suddenly grasped his hand. "It's a deal then Itami! I'll have to consult with the other ministers, but know that I fully trust you to help us retake the lost cities!"